Battle of Egypt

Chapter 13 Ka

Bakari was waiting outside as I left my chambers. He was chuckling as we made our way down the corridor. I smacked him in the arm. He winced and held his arm. I chuckled as we continued down the stairs. That was what he got.

"What, I knew what you were up to, you want her. Do you not," he asked. I smiled thinking about what happened between Makara and I earlier. Her lips, her body against mine. How willing she was in my arms. I never wanted a woman as badly as I wanted her. It was like I was as starving man, and she was the feast.

"I want her so badly Bakari. If you hadn't interrupted me I would be taking her right now," I said. He laughed, his shoulders shaking. 

"Sorry, but your father said it was urgent," he said. My thoughts turned from lust to something different entirely. What had father worried? I remember Makara telling me about her vision last night. Was it coming to pass? I shook my head trying to rid myself of those doubts. No, I had to protect my city. For the sake of my people. And the love I had for Makara. I had to make sure that Memphis did not fall to Sutekh and his army.

"Did you finally ask Neferure to marry you, it has only been a year since you both started going at it like a couple of rabbits," I said. Bakari's face went red. Something had happened when I was gone. I laughed at his blush. 

"No, but I found out she is carrying my child while you were away. I am still trying to get over the shock," he replied. I stopped him with my arm. My best friend and best warrior was having a child. And he had not asked Neferure to marry him? What was he thinking?

"Why not Bakari? You both adore each other, and now you have a child on the way. What is holding you back brother," I demanded. I had seen them in the halls time and time again. They could not keep their hands off one another. They were made for one another. Just like Makara and I. Both had been brought up here in the palace. And both had suffered similar tradegies in their lives. Both Bakari and Neferure deserved nothing but happiness.

"We could die Ka, we could go into battle and never come back. I do not want to leave her a widow. Raising a child on her own. If we end things now. She could be spared that fate," he said. I almost knocked his face in for saying such things. If he did that, then he would be subjecting her to a whole different fate. He was not thinking clearly.

"Bakari, what is the other option is there? Leave her to raise a bastard with no name? Marry Neferure, you love her and then the child is yours in both blood and name. She will be safe. All the lands granted to you will go to him if you die. And she will not be alone. She has her younger sister and she has me," I replied. He stared at me, thinking. Finally he nodded, I knew I was speaking the truth. That whatever child he had would be like a son to me. We all deserved a little happiness. Even if it was for a little while.

"Come, let us see what my father has found out," I said, clasping Bakari's shoulder. We made our way to the presence chamber and entered it. The top generals were there surrounding my father. Their faces grim. I walked through the crowd, my father was having his armor fitted. His eyes were weary.

"What is it father, what has happened," I asked. I looked at Bakari, he knew something was wrong too. My father never went to battle, this was bad. This was very bad indeed.

"Our spies and scouts have confirmed that Sutekh is moving his troops north. He is mounting an attack on Memphis," he said. I felt my mouth go dry, Makara's vision came back into my mind. The knowledge that my father may die from an arrow.

"How long sire do we have until they reach the walls of the city," Bakari asked beside me. I turned to him, his face just as grim as those around us. 

"A day, maybe two if we are lucky. He is outraged that his seer was taken," my father said. His eyes leveled to meet mine. I stood my ground, I would not let Sutekh have Makara. I would rather die than let Makara fall into his hands. 

"We should offer the seer up in exchange for the safety of our city. Perhaps handing her over will show him a sign of good faith," a general said behind us. I turned and the general jumped back as he met my gaze. Makara was not going anywhere.

"What good would that do. Sutekh will only take our city down out of spite. He knows that as long as our king and his son are alive. Memphis and all of Lower Egypt will be in play," Bakari said. Bakari was true to his word about standing by my side. 

"Bakari is right. The seer stays with us. Makara has our protection. I gave my son my word. And I do not break my word," my father said. He was handed his sword. He strapped it to his waist. 

"Makara will help us, she is willing to help us," my father added. His tone was cold. It took all I had to convince my father that Makara was an ally; not an enemy. 

"What is the plan then Nebty," another general asked. I looked at the room. They were just as nervous as my father. 

"Gather those outside the gates, check all farms and small villages. Memphis will be the safest place for all those who could be in the path of Sutekh. Have the guards doubled on the walls, and have them alert us the moment they spot Sutekh's army. begin preparing the army. Then go home and be with your families tonight. For we may die tomorrow," my father said. All the generals filed out of the room. It was just my father, Bakari and I. 

"Bakari, can you give me a moment with my son," my father asked. Bakari gave me a look before he bowed and left the room. Leaving my father and I alone. I knew that my father was tired. he was tired of this fighting.

"Son, I may die tomorrow, and if I do. You will become king after me. Are you ready to do so? Are you ready to take up the helm of this war," he asked. His eyes filled with grim determination. I felt taken aback, was I ready to be king? I shook my head, no my father was not going to die. Makara's vision would not come true. It could not come true. My father will live to see the day after tomorrow. Will live to see me married and with children.

"We will win father. We have the gods on our side. They have not abandoned us, and neither will I," I replied. He sighed and looked over the maps on the table. 

"Are you sure about this seer Ka, are you sure you want to marry her," father asked. His voice was cold. I looked him dead in the eye.

"As sure as the great Ra rises in the east and falls in the west. I love her with all my being. She will be my wife, and one day she will be queen," I said. Not letting my voice waver on this subject. I could tell that behind the coldness in my father's eyes. It was sadness. He has always grieved my mother. Though he never spoke of her, I knew that he loved her. That there was a piece of him missing, that piece of him resided in her tomb with her body.

"I remember that feeling, that same feeling that I had for your mother, just be careful. Love that powerful can hurt when we lose them," he said. I could tell he had sadness behind his eyes. He had loved my mother so much. Many told me about their love. How powerful it was. The great god Horus had married them.

"I will be careful father, I promise," I said. He nodded and we looked over the maps for a few moments. The anxiety rolling off his body. 

"Our kingdom will not fall father, we will not let the tyrant win," I said. He gave me a small smile. My father always knew that we would win this war, and I believed that too. We had to believe that the gods will protect us when we went into battle.

"It will, if the gods allow," he whispered sadly. As if he knew something I did not."Go, go help prepare the army with the generals. Then go to Makara. Make her yours before the morning. For tomorrow we may all die, and she may carry the future heir of Memphis. The heir that will end this war," he commanded. I nodded and left the room. I would survive this battle. We would all survive this battle. We had the gods on our side. And after this battle, Makara and I would be married. And our children would rule Egypt, a united Egypt.